The 1950s (or was it the 1880s?)
WADS , which was then known as Whitchurch Amateur Dramatic Society, was founded in 1958.The Andover Advertiser of 30th May that year carried the following story:
ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING ABOUT AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY
"As proof of the interest on the proposed formation of a dramatic society over 40 people attended an inaugural meeting in the Church Hall. Mr. Alliston, speaking from the chair, welcomed such an enthusiastic gathering and introduced Mr. Smith and Mr. Cordery of Basingstoke Evening Institute who were very helpful in giving advice, opinions, and answering the many and varied questions. After a lengthy discussion it was resolved to form a Dramatic Society. A committee was elected with power to formulate a set of rules and to fix a subscription. The committee is: Mrs R. Payne, Miss Milne, Messrs. Booth, Bradbury, Butcher and Pascoe. The appointment of a secretary and a treasurer were not filled, But Mr. O. K. Mann and Mrs. Pascoe agrees to carry out these duties respectively for the time being. At the close of the meeting 27 application forms for membership had been completed and returned to the acting secretary."
WADS , however, did not stage its first public production until the spring of 1959, when it performed Jean McConnell’s Haul for the Shore at the Parish Hall.
Painted Sparrows
WADS’ second production in 1959 was Painted Sparrows by Guy Paxton and Edward V Hoile. The Andover Advertiser commented on WADS' "flair for acting".
Gordon Kail as Tom Lambert in WADS’ 1959 production of Painted Sparrows. Does anyone know the name of the woman taking the brunt of his anger?
Or was it 1886?
Geoff Kelland discovered these two news items from the Hampshire Chronicle from 1886. The first says that Whitchurch Amateur Dramatic Society “gave their first performance on Monday evening [8 March 1886] in the Town Hall, to a crowded audience.”
Whitchurch Amateur Dramatic Society
(From the Hampshire Chronicle Saturday 13 March 1886)
The members of this society gave their first performance on Monday evening in the Town Hall, to a crowded audience. Dr. Masters, president of the society, opened with a short prologue. The “Pickwick Trial” was performed in excellent style, and the farce of “Box and Cox” produced roars laughter. Mrs. Gadsden’s and Mr. Wandsborough’s songs. “The Highland Bride” and The Gallants of England,” were much appreciated, also the two violin solos by Mr. Heady, of Andover. A small orchestra successfully rendered “Sweetheart Valse” and Dick Quadrille.”
The following was the programme; Instrumental, “Dick Quadrille.” and “The Pickwick Trial” (dramatis personae). Mr. Justice Starleigh, Mr. H. Grinham; Mr. Sergeant Buzfuz, Mr. Wansborough; Mr. Sergeant Snubbings, Mr Denning; Mr. Phunky (barrister), not present; S. Pickwick, Esq., Mr. E. Wallder; N. Winkle. Esq, Mr. Rhodes; Mr. Weller, jun. (not seen); Mr. F. Taplin; Crier of the Court, Mr. T. Denning; Jurymen, Messrs. A. Smith and others; Mrs. Bardell, Mr. Stevens; Mrs. Elizabeth Cluppins, Mr. Hebditch. Valse, “Sweetheart,” Bogetti; song, Mrs. Gadsden; song, Mr. Wansborough; violin solo, Mr. Handy. Box and Cox ” (dramatis personae), Box (a journeyman printer), Mr. Rhodes; Cox (journeyman hatter), Mr. Denning; Mrs. Bouncer (the landlady),
Mr. Hebditch.
Dramatic Performance
(From the Hampshire Chronicle Saturday 2 October 1886)
On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the Whitchurch Amateur Dramatic Society gave their first entertainment of the season in the Town Hall.The pieces chosen were Buckstone’s comic drama, “Good for Nothing,” and “Turn him Out,” by J. T. Williams. The various characters in the first piece were represented by Miss Minty, and Messrs. Hebditch, T. Denning, Pearce and Wallder. The several parts were well taken. The farce was also well rendered, and caused roars of laughter. Mr. C. Denning distinguished himself as “Nicodemus Nobbs,” an itinerant vendor of juvenile toys; and Miss Minty added to her laurels as “Susan”(a maid of all work). Between the pieces Mr. Wear, of Andover, sang two comic songs in his usual characteristic style. At meeting of the members of the Society Tuesday evening, Dr. A. T. Masters, the energetic President, was presented with a silver mounted cigar case and pocket book combined. Dr. Masters, who is leaving Whitchurch, has been most indefatigable in his services, and it is greatly owing to his exertions that the Society has been so successful.
